Spray tube with safety feature

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for deploying a pressurized fluid from a container having a lip and a nozzle head, is disclosed which comprises: a hollow tube having a first and second distal end and a shield affixed adjacent to the hollow tube, wherein the shield is configured to prevent the pressurized fluid from striking the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aerosol spray tube and more particularly to an aerosol spray tube that also provides a spray deflector for increased safety.

Many fluids come in pressurized containers and are designed to be applied by means of a spray nozzle affixed to a valve in the top of the container. Typically, fluid is released by depressing the spray nozzle head, which causes the valve in the top of the container to open allowing fluid to be released through a fluid passage located on the side wall of the spray nozzle.

In addition, it is common in some applications to provide a small diameter tube that can be inserted into frictional engagement with the exit opening of the nozzle head. When so mounted, the small diameter tube provides an extension to the nozzle head and allows the fluid stream to exit at the distal opening of the tube rather than at the exit opening of the nozzle head against which the proximal end of the tube is engaged. This allows application of the pressurized fluid into areas where the nozzle head would not provide thorough or accurate application of the fluid. The extension tube is typically provided along with the pressurized fluid container and is commonly affixed to the container by means of an adhesive strip.

It is well known to provide an aerosol spray container with a spray director which may be used to guide the aerosol spray emerging from the aerosol valve of the container along a predetermined path to facilitate efficient application of the aerosol spray into a particular location or area which may otherwise be inaccessible or difficult to reach. The spray director may be referred to in the art by a variety of different terms including the following: guide, dispensing tube, directing tube, discharge conduit, or the like.

While the spray tube is typically a relatively rigid or strongly resilient, longitudinally extending member, it may alternately be flexible as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,974.

It is not uncommon, due to the high velocity and concentration of the aerosol spray that emerges from the spray tube, for the sprayed material to bounce back and strike the person using the aerosol can. Often times, this reflected spray will get into the eyes, nose and mouth of the user, causing considerable pain and discomfort. There therefore exists a need to deflect the spray away from the user and protect them from the reflected sprayed material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A spray tube configured for use with a typical aerosol can or the like is provided which also has a spray deflector affixed to the body of the tube in order to prevent the sprayed material from striking the user of the aerosol can.

The spray deflector may be permanently affixed on the spray tube at a predetermined position and orientation or may be movable and adjusted by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the spray tube installed on a typical aerosol spray can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, a spray tube assembly 10 is shown which comprises an elongated tube or straw 12 having a first distal end 16 and a second distal end 18. The second distal end 18 is configured for insertion into a typical aerosol spray can nozzle in any well known manner. An inner passageway 20 runs the length of the tube 12 and is configured to transfer and direct the effluent material that is discharged from an aerosol can to a desired location.

The first distal end 16 is configured to discharge the effluent material to a desired location, and while shown as a basic cylindrical shape in the figures, could be altered to provide a fan like nozzle or the like. All such modifications are fully contemplated by the invention disclosed herein.

A shield 14 is disposed adjacent the tube 12 and is configured to deflect any effluent that is reflected back in the direction of the first distal end 16 so that it is substantially prevented from contacting the user of the spray tube assembly 10 when inserted into an aerosol can. The shield 14, in the figures is depicted as a concave circular disk. However, the invention fully contemplates the multitude of possible shapes that someone with skill in the art could develop. In addition, the shield 14 may be permanently affixed to the tube 12 or could be movable along the length of the tube 12 as shown by arrow A-A in FIGS. 3 and 4. The shield 14 could also be removably affixed to the tube 12 so that it may be completely removed from the tube 12 if desired by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 5, where like numerals depict similar features, which shows the spray tube assembly 10 inserted into a nozzle 22 of a typical spray can 24. In order to use the spray tube assembly 10, the second distal end 18 is inserted into the nozzle 22 in any well known manner. The spray tube assembly 10 is now configured to transfer and direct the effluent material from the spray can 24 as determined by the user. Optionally, the shield 14 may be selectably positioned at any point along the tube 12 to prevent “blow-back” of the effluent material from striking the user.

It should be mentioned that the spray can 24 may be a supply of pressurized air or gas which is frequently used to clean residual material off of parts and equipment. In this case, the effluent that has been discussed so far would include the pressurized gas or air as well as the dislodge material.

As previously mentioned, the appended figures and respective descriptions show a small sample of the potential embodiments of the invention which contemplates many variations. For example, the size, shape and means of attachment of the shield 14 may be adapted to many known configurations to someone with skill in the art. The invention disclosed herein contemplates all such arrangements. 

1. A spray tube configured to transfer and direct an effluent discharged from an aerosol can comprising: an elongated hollow tube having a first distal end and a second distal end wherein said first distal end is configured for removable insertion into the aerosol can; and a shield disposed adjacent said tube configured to substantially deflect effluent discharged from the aerosol can.
 2. The spray tube of claim 1, wherein said shield is permanently affixed along the longitudinal axis of said hollow tube.
 3. The spray tube of claim 1, wherein said shield is selectably movable along the longitudinal axis of said hollow tube.
 4. The spray tube of claim 1, wherein said second distal end comprises a fan shaped nozzle.
 5. The spray tube of claim 1, wherein said aerosol can comprises a supply of pressurized air.
 6. An apparatus for deploying a pressurized fluid from a container having a nozzle head, comprising: an elongated tube having an internal passageway, said tube being configured to be removably inserted into the nozzle head; a shield disposed adjacent said tube, said shield being configured to substantially deflect the pressurized fluid after deployment of the pressurized fluid from the tube.
 7. The spray tube of claim 6, wherein said shield is permanently affixed along the longitudinal axis of said tube.
 8. The spray tube of claim 6, wherein said shield is selectably movable along the longitudinal axis of said tube.
 9. The spray tube of claim 6, further comprising a fan shaped exit.
 10. The spray tube of claim 6, wherein said pressurized fluid comprises a supply of pressurized air.
 11. A method for increasing the safety of deploying a pressurized fluid from a pressurized container having a nozzle head comprising the steps of: providing an elongated hollow tube configured to be inserted in the nozzle head; and, providing a shield affixed to said hollow tube configured to substantially deflect the pressurized fluid away from the user of the pressurized container.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said shield is permanently affixed along the longitudinal axis of said tube.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein said shield is selectably movable along the longitudinal axis of said tube.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein said tube further comprising a fan shaped exit.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein said pressurized fluid comprises a supply of pressurized air. 